514 



and that the single, most frequently mentioned activity avoided by 

 operators was timber-related operations. 



In closing, we need to emphasize that Senator Murkowski's bill 

 does not address our major concerns for tourism and recreation. 

 We do not want to bring these same issues before you again next 

 year. Therefore, the Tongass Tourism and Recreation Business As- 

 sociation urges you to pass the Tongass Timber Reform Act and to 

 include wilderness designation or some other kind of permanent 

 protection for all of the 23 areas listed. That permanent protection 

 could include wilderness — some kind of a roadless designation. 



One additional point, although I am only representing this asso- 

 ciation, I do want to note that Alaska Visitor's Association has re- 

 cently supported the Southeast Conference. 



Senator Wirth. Thank you very much. 



Senator Murkowski? 



Senator Murkowski. Mr. Leghorn, I guess the Tongass Tourism 

 and Recreation Business Association does not support the South- 

 east Conference recommendation? 



Mr. Leghorn. They have not stated they supported the South- 

 east Conference's position. They only presented the position state- 

 ment that I quoted. 



Senator Murkowski. Do you know if they intend to address it 

 formally? 



Mr. Leghorn. There is no intent at this time. 



Senator Murkowski. The reason I ask is that you said the 

 Alaska Visitor's Association did support it, and I am curious to 

 know if the Tongass Tourism and Recreation did not? 



Mr. Leghorn. I do not know. 



Senator Murkowski. The Forest Service's presence in cabins and 

 trails and what they do in the form of welcome, and I think they 

 are still individually available on some of the ships to provide serv- 

 ices for tourists, is that still going on? 



Mr. Leghorn. Yes, it is. That is a very successful program. 



Senator Murkowski. The Forest Service makes some contribu- 

 tion to tourism, correct? 



Mr. Leghorn. I think it is safe to say that the Tongass has some 

 of the most dedicated recreation staff in the Forest Service of any 

 forest. It is amazing what they do with the levels of funding that 

 they do get. 



Senator Murkowski. You are aware that both bills do away with 

 any Federal funding of the Tongass? 



Mr. Leghorn. Yes, sir. I believe Senator's Wirth's bill does pro- 

 vide language that directs the Forest Service to spend more of its 

 efforts on non-timber programs, and that is the real key to recrea- 

 tion and tourism. 



Senator Murkowski. Well, that would have to be the responsibil- 

 ity of the Forest Service because they are managers of the Tongass, 

 and we would all like to see them do a better job to enhance tour- 

 ism. I think that is very important. 



Just a couple of other brief observations. I notice that the testi- 

 mony of the Territorial Sportsmen, many of whom I know quite 

 well, but in the testimony of Mr. Tonkin, the statement was made 

 that the main factor limiting the population of Sitka black-tailed 

 deer, which are the most abundant and widel}' distributed recre- 



